Daily Yellowstone journal., 1887-12-08
SOMEWHAT ANCIENT
But Nothing Lost by Keeping a
Thanksgiving Dissertation
by a Local Divine.
Anarchy Pitted Against Law
and the Result. Blessings
Enjoyed by Americans.
GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD
For His Manifold Blessings to Us and u
all People.
At the request OF many who were
present at the Union service held
Thanksgiving Day at the Presbyter.
ian church, and who heard and enjoy
ed the excellent discourse delivered by
Rev. T. z. Armstrong, we to-day pub
lish an abridged report of the sermon,
necessarily snorn Of much of the
beauty apparent in its delivery. re-
tanning the salient points that were
such feature Of the original. No one
should shun 1t on account Of It's being
"sermon" for there is little Of the
so-called sermon in 1t, but rather q
wholesome and timely review ol
things that concern those who live to.
day. The text Of the sermon is a.
follows:
Civil government is an ordinance Of
good. 1t Is an institution of heavens
appointment, necessary for the preser-
walton OF mans liberty and life. This
great American republic was born
with the divine blessing upon its birth.
No nation under heaven has been 30
favored during her century and q little
more of existence and growth as.the
United States, II do not like the name
Of our country, reaching as she does
from ocean to ocean, and from the
lakes to the gulf, 1t should have been
called 10 honor of the discovery Of
the American continent, Columbis.
know this is often used as q poetic
name, but 1t should be the real name
as well). To-day we are called to-
gether to sing devout songs Of graft
tude to Him who Is the author Of
all national blessings and mercies.
The stability of our government has
been severely tested and thus far she
has stood the test.
Thanksgiving Day, 1887! How
numerous the blessings that have
come to us as nation in the last
twelve months. These blessings have
been both positive and negative, the
abundant supply Of our wants. and the
Withholding Of national plaques and
disasters.
We here In the west have much to
be thankful for. 1t is true In Monta-
na our people have not enjoyed that
abundant prosperity that has character
lied other sections of the country. In
eastern Montana, which is cattle
country, in the last year, unparalleled
losees have been experienced. Last
winter the cattle perished by hundreds
and thousands. The last summer has
been one of serious depression and yet
who has suffered? Men have
not made SO much money, rs In for
mer years, bat who has suffered ?
There is mighty difference between
making less money and actual suffer
ing, so that you have to appeal for
help.
we'll remember some years ago,
when the grasshopper scourge visited
the state OF Kansas, how train load
after train load Of provisions was sent
from the eastern states to supply the
needs of the destitute people. know
men here talk about hard times, but
we, have had no destitution, no suffer
ing. All of the actual necessities Of
life have been bountifully supplied,
and l say here In Montana there Is
abundant reason for thanksgiving.
Last winter q sheep man In this
community said TO neighbor, when
the poor animals were perishing by
scores, "do you believe there is God ?
Yes replied his neighbor." "Well,
do you think He is merclful when he
allows the poor sheep to die of In this
way ?" "Yesn said the neighbor, ~
think God is merciful, but 1t is our
fault and not Gods that the poor
sheep are perishing this winter. II
we try TO bring them through these
cold winters Of northern Montana, and
make no provision for feeding them
we deserve to loose them. God does
not work miracles OF mercy TO save the
sheep when we have cruelty left them
TO their fate"
Notwithstanding the heavy losses OF
cattle and sheep owners and the con.
segment depression in business circles,
God has been good 10 our community,
and there is much TO call forth than ks,
giving from every heart; the blessi ngs
OF health, Of quiet peaceful homes, all
our civil and religious liberties and
tis absence OF all real want. We
ought to be very thankful as indlvid.
uals, as families, as community and
~ nation.